The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

admit animals for specialised surgical procedures completing all appropriate documentation

prepare animals and theatres for specific surgical procedures

organise self and clinic personnel in preparing necessary equipment and material for specialised routines

identify and safely use appropriate equipment, instruments and materials for specialised surgical procedures

monitor anaesthesia throughout surgery and provide specific support to surgeons as required

observe and report accurately on animals' condition and vital signs

recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies

manage theatre requirements and the cleaning and maintenance requirements of specialised surgical equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital where registered specialists are performing specialised surgical procedures.

There must be access to the appropriate surgical equipment and/or resources relevant to the specialised surgical procedures taking place in the clinic to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated by managing nursing requirements and carrying out post-operative nursing routines for an extensive range of specialised surgical procedures on a regular basis over a period of time.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

Ability to:

apply and monitor anaesthesia, fluid therapy and radiographic and imaging routines relating to specialised surgical routines

complete relevant work-related documentation

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

identify appropriate specialised surgical equipment and instruments

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

observe accurately and report animal condition and vital signs

recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies

undertake routine equipment maintenance schedules in accordance with manufacturers' requirements

use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and other clinic policies and procedures; coordinate patient admission and discharge; implement sequenced written and oral instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

use oral communication skills/language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from veterinarian, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to monitor surgical equipment and patients' vital signs and to measure dosages

use problem-solving skills to use available resources, prioritise tasks and anticipate surgeons' requirements

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

work as part of and coordinating a team

work with others to achieve optimum aseptic conditions.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

anaesthetic routines and anaesthetics, including gaseous and injectables

animal anatomy and physiology related to specialised surgical procedures

AS/NZ 4187:2003 Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising re-useable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in health care facilities

equipment and instrument requirements for surgery and their use

fluid therapy and radiographic and imaging routines relating to specialised surgical routines

interpretation of results and surgical approaches

intra-operative drugs

non-routine surgical procedures

pain management techniques

principles of animal welfare and ethics

how to recognise emergencies

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, workplace health and safety and animal welfare

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

safe work practices

specialised surgical procedures, including thoracotomy, enterotomy, gastrotomy, cystotomy, spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery and ophthalmic surgery

theatre routines

how to use and recording of chemicals and medicines in the clinic according to relevant legislative requirements

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants and sterilisation, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Specialised surgical procedures may include:

cystotomy

enterotomy

gastrotomy

orthopaedic surgery

ophthalmic surgery

spinal surgery

thoracotomy.

Pre-operative instructions may be given in regard to:

control of exercise

fasting

medication

restricted fluid intake.

Hospital routines information may include:

patient progress

patient visiting arrangements

referral to specialised advice.

Patient histories and client details may include:

patient histories may be maintained manually or electronically

patient histories:

referral and associated documentation

pathological and diagnostic results

client details:

owner's name and address

emergency contact

payment details.

Patient samples may include:

blood obtained by venipuncture

faeces collected by direct rectal examination and free catch

hair pluckings

other exudates

skin scrapings

tape preparations

urine collected by free catch

urinary catheterisation under veterinary supervision.

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Specialised materials and equipment may include:

anaesthetic equipment

blood pressure monitoring equipment

capnographs

catheters

drains

electrocardiogram (ECG)

electrosurgical units

endoscopes

fibroscopes

heated operating tables

laryngoscopes

laparoscopes

oesophageal stethoscopes

orthopaedic equipment:

drills and saws

ophthalmic equipment

pulse oximeters

scavenger

suction pumps

ventilators.

Personal preparation and preparation of other personnel for the theatre environment will include:

anti-static footwear or shoe covers

demonstrating open and closed gloving techniques

donning specialised theatre scrub suits

gowning using cloth or disposable gowns

scrubbing up aseptically

surgical caps and masks.

Pre-surgical evaluation may include:

assessment of temperament

capillary refill time

evaluation of pain prior to sedation and anaesthetic choice under supervision of a surgeon

fluid therapy plan under supervision of a surgeon

heart rate

mucous membrane colour

pulse rate and quality

rectal temperature

respiratory rate and effort.

Actions when stabilising patients may include:

administration of fluid therapy

application of restraints

calming actions and words

clearing the airway as required

connection to artificial respiration

intubation

monitoring vital signs

preoperative medications and premedications

placement of an intravenous catheter

provision of supportive padding.

Preparing patients for specialised surgical procedures may include:

administration of an enema

applying splints

clipping

fitting of surgical drapes

limb support

scrubbing of surgical area using an aseptic technique

taping

vacuuming.

Specific anaesthetic procedures may include:

administration of anaesthetic agents and patient monitoring

intra-operative drugs

intravenous or intraosseous fluid therapy

maintaining arterial catheters

maintaining peripheral or central intravenous catheters

pain management.

Specific artificial respiration systems may include:

constant monitoring of vital signs

monitoring and recording of anaesthesia levels

administration of oxygen into recovery and may include mechanical or manual artificial ventilation, such as intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

Intra-operative support to surgeon may include:

anaesthesia support

maintenance of an aseptic surgical environment.

Anticipating surgeon's requirement may include:

animal restraint

cleaning up

haemostasis

notifying changes in vital signs or level of anaesthesia

providing instruments and tray maintenance

selecting and providing suture material

wet and dry swabbing.

Specific surgical operating support may include:

instrument holding, passage, cleansing and assembly

instrument tray maintenance

limb positioning, as appropriate

organ packing

positioning of suction apparatus

retraction, as appropriate

suture selection and cutting

swab counting.

Specialised bandages may include:

abdominal bandages

Ehmer slings

foot bandages

head or ear bandages

Robert Jones

thoracic bandages.

Maintenance may include:

specialised equipment:

calibration checks

checks of scavenger

checks of heating and cooling systems

disassembly and reassembly

light globe tests

lubrication

parts sharpening

performance testing

general maintenance:

identification of damaged and ineffective equipment or parts that are replaced or set aside for repair

lubrication of hydraulic lifts, tracks and wheels to ensure smooth operation and optimum performance.

Cleaning may require:

appropriate antibacterial or virucide agents

specific cleaning tools

use of chemical agents.